Difference between revisions of "Codename MAT"

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{| align="right" valign="top"
 
{| align="right" valign="top"
|{{Infobox Game
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|{{Gamebase Entry
|Image = [[Image:Codename Mat Front Covertape (Amsoft).jpg|centre|300px|Coverscan]]
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|Image = [[Image:Codename_MAT_(Title).png‎|center|300px|Loading Screen]]
|Developer = [[Micromega]]
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|Release = [[:Category:Games 1984|1984]]
 
|Publisher = [[Amsoft]]
 
|Publisher = [[Amsoft]]
 +
|Developer = [[Micromega]]
 +
|Programmer = [[Derek Brewster]]
 
|Musician = None
 
|Musician = None
|Release = [[:Category:Games 1984|1984]]
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|Artist = [[Derek Brewster]]
|Platform = [[Amstrad CPC|CPC]], [[ZX Spectrum]]
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|Genre = [[:Category:Shoot them Up|Shoot-em-up (3D)]]
|Genre = [[:Category:Shoot them Up|Shoot-em-up]]
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|Players = 1P Only
|GameModes = 1 Player
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|Controls = {{Keyboard}} {{Joystick}}
 
|Controls = {{Keyboard}} {{Joystick}}
 +
|Language = {{EN}}
 
|Media = {{Disk}} {{Tape}}
 
|Media = {{Disk}} {{Tape}}
|Language = {{EN}}
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|Compatability = [[464]], [[664]], [[6128]] & [[Plus]]
 +
|Magazine Reviews= [[Amstrad Computer User|N/A - ACU 01]], [[Amstrad Computer User|4/5 - ACU 05]], [[Amstrad Action|71% - AA 001]], [[Amtix|74% - Amtix 01]]
 
|Info =  
 
|Info =  
 
}}
 
}}
 
|}
 
|}
  
One of the first 'almost' 3D space games: Easily playable, with a dozen or so controls for flying a ship (the Centurian) against a fleet of Myon vessels (3 Types) which are invading the solar system. 
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== Overview ==
  
Although not on a par with the likes of Elite, it was playable (and had an ending).  There were a few very minor bugs in the programming but these had no effect on the playability.
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One of the first 'almost' 3D space games: Easily playable, with a dozen or so controls for flying a ship (the Centurian) against a fleet of Myon vessels which are invading the solar system.
  
== '''Inlay Text''' ==
+
Although not on a par with the likes of ''[[Elite]]'', it was playable (and had an ending).  There were a few very minor bugs in the programming but these had no effect on the playability.
 +
 
 +
The game was very tricky to get to grips with thanks to the vast array of keyboard controls to compliment the joystick/cursor control of the ship.  Perseverence was key, however, and a complex but fun game was to be found inside.
 +
 
 +
== Plot ==
  
 
Codename MAT - MISSION: ALIEN TERMINATION - the desperate plan to place in the mind of a teenager the combined tactical skills of all the planetary leaders in the solar system.  MAT is mankind's last hope.
 
Codename MAT - MISSION: ALIEN TERMINATION - the desperate plan to place in the mind of a teenager the combined tactical skills of all the planetary leaders in the solar system.  MAT is mankind's last hope.
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Now your mind is MAT's mind.  Take control of the Centurion and blast off on the greatest adventure of all...
 
Now your mind is MAT's mind.  Take control of the Centurion and blast off on the greatest adventure of all...
  
{|
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== Screenshots & Videos ==
|-
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|[[Image:Codename_MAT_(Title).png‎|left|thumb|200px|Loading screen]]
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|[[Image:Codename MAT Screenshot.png|left|thumb|200px|In-Game Screenshot]]
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<br style="clear:both;"/>
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|}
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== '''Videos''' ==
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<gallery caption="Codename MAT">
 +
Image:Codename_Mat_(Solar_Chart).png|Solar Chart - One of the Many Map and Instrument Screens!
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Image:Codename MAT Screenshot.png|In 3D Battle - more than a passing nod to [[Star Wars]] here...
 +
</gallery>
  
None
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== Re-releases and Compilations ==
 
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== '''Ratings''' ==
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Generally well received by the CPC gaming press, Codename MAT received a fairly glowing review from the Amsoft owned ''[[Amstrad Computer User]]'' their reviewer speculating that "Originals of Code Name Mat may be changing hands in fifty years time in much the same way as the first editions of famous novels."
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By the time ''[[Amstrad Action]]'' and ''[[Amtix]]'' came on the scene, the game was already a year old and the excitement wasn't quite as fever pitch.
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''Amstrad Action'' remarked that there was "Plenty of depth of control and game size but that lots of keyboard controls can be confusing" while ''Amtix'' suggested that while "the 3D graphics are only average, the game can prove so addictive that it doesn't matter."
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{|{{Prettytable|width: 700px; font-size: 2em;}}
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|ACU:|| Issue 01 (Aug/Sep '84)|| Page 16|| no mark
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|-
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|ACU:|| Issue 05 (Apr '85)|| Page 41|| 4/5
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|-
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|AA:|| Issue 01 (Oct '85)|| Page 79-80|| 71%
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|-
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|Amtix:|| Issue 01 (Nov '85)|| Page 26|| 74%
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|-
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|}
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== '''Cheat Mode''' ==
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None
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== '''Prequels / Sequels''' ==
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* 1.  '''Codename MAT''' (1984)
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* 2.  [[Codename MAT II]] (1985)
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== '''Compilations & Re-releases''' ==
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* Re-released by [[Zeppelin Games]] (1988)
 
* Re-released by [[Zeppelin Games]] (1988)
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** [[10 Computer Hits 2]] (1986)
 
** [[10 Computer Hits 2]] (1986)
  
== '''Trivia''' ==
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== Hints & Tips ==
 +
 
 +
None - Please feel free to add and remember to give full credit!
 +
 
 +
== Trivia ==
  
*Originally released for the [[ZX Spectrum]], author [[Derek Brewster]] had decided to name his game ''Invasion 2000'', however, publishers [[Micromega]] were unhappy with the name as it didn't reflect the content and made it sound like another space invaders knock-off, which the market was being flooded with at that time.  Prior to settling on ''Codename MAT'', the game was also known as ''Hank'' during the development stage.
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*Originally released for the [[ZX Spectrum]], author [[Derek Brewster]] had decided to name his game ''Invasion 2000'', however, publishers [[Micromega]] were unhappy with the name as it didn't reflect the content and made it sound like another space invaders knock-off, which the market was being flooded with at that time.  Prior to settling on '''Codename MAT''', the game was also known as ''Hank'' during the development stage.
 
*The game was the first release for Brewster's own company [[Zeppelin Games]] when the title was re-released at the beginning of 1988.
 
*The game was the first release for Brewster's own company [[Zeppelin Games]] when the title was re-released at the beginning of 1988.
 +
*The game spawned a sequel in the form of ''[[Codename MAT II]]'' published by [[Domark]]
  
== '''Downloads & Materials''' ==
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== Gallery ==
  
 
<gallery caption="Codename MAT">
 
<gallery caption="Codename MAT">

Revision as of 07:10, 4 May 2011

Codename MAT
Loading Screen
Release 1984
Publisher Amsoft
Developer Micromega
Programmer Derek Brewster
Musician None
Artist Derek Brewster
Genre Shoot-em-up (3D)
Players 1P Only
Controls Keyboard Joystick
Language Language:english
Media disk Cassette
Compatability 464, 664, 6128 & Plus
Magazine Reviews N/A - ACU 01, 4/5 - ACU 05, 71% - AA 001, 74% - Amtix 01
Information


Overview

One of the first 'almost' 3D space games: Easily playable, with a dozen or so controls for flying a ship (the Centurian) against a fleet of Myon vessels which are invading the solar system.

Although not on a par with the likes of Elite, it was playable (and had an ending). There were a few very minor bugs in the programming but these had no effect on the playability.

The game was very tricky to get to grips with thanks to the vast array of keyboard controls to compliment the joystick/cursor control of the ship. Perseverence was key, however, and a complex but fun game was to be found inside.

Plot

Codename MAT - MISSION: ALIEN TERMINATION - the desperate plan to place in the mind of a teenager the combined tactical skills of all the planetary leaders in the solar system. MAT is mankind's last hope.

For decades the Myons have sought to dominate the Solar System, whose fleets are now ragged and depleted. They have launched an all-or-nothing attack, knowing that Earth is developing revolutionary space-craft. Only the prototype - USS Centurion - has been built, and it must be pressed into immediate service as both battle-cruiser and tactical command centre.

Piloting the craft in battle and controlling the Planetary Defence Fleets is beyond any normal human... MAT is created.

Now your mind is MAT's mind. Take control of the Centurion and blast off on the greatest adventure of all...

Screenshots & Videos

Re-releases and Compilations

Hints & Tips

None - Please feel free to add and remember to give full credit!

Trivia

  • Originally released for the ZX Spectrum, author Derek Brewster had decided to name his game Invasion 2000, however, publishers Micromega were unhappy with the name as it didn't reflect the content and made it sound like another space invaders knock-off, which the market was being flooded with at that time. Prior to settling on Codename MAT, the game was also known as Hank during the development stage.
  • The game was the first release for Brewster's own company Zeppelin Games when the title was re-released at the beginning of 1988.
  • The game spawned a sequel in the form of Codename MAT II published by Domark

Gallery

Links